MLS to expand

Please excuse my absence, as I was learning a new computer system at work. I intend to post more now that club action and World Cup qualifying are picking up pace. I want to start a Game of the Week thread that will preview the best upcoming weekend matches.

Anyway, seven groups, including the Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona, have applied to become the two next Major League Soccer expansion clubs, according to this report.

The MLS plans to add the teams by 2011, which would bring the league to 18 clubs. The Seattle Sounders FC enter the league next year, with a club from Philadelphia joining in 2010. (Did I say Philadelphia? Go Phillies!!)

Competing for the next two clubs in cities across the U>S. and Canada are: Arthur Blank in Atlanta; FC Barcelona and Bolivian entrepreneur Marcelo Claure in Miami, Fla.; The Saputo and Gillett Families in Montreal; Eugene Melnyk in Ottawa; the Paulson Family in Portland, Ore.; an investment group led by Jeff Cooper in St. Louis, Mo.; and Greg Kerfoot, Steve Nash and Jeff Mallett in Vancouver.

Which markets win franchises will be announced this year or early next year, according to the league.

If Barcelona and Claure succeed, they will become the first European-based club to enjoy direct association with MLS, a giant leap forward for the fledgling American league. Looks like Barca is beginning to realize that the U.S. is capable of breeding solid players.

Barca president Joan Laporta and Joan Oliver, the club’s corporate director, will present their plans in Miami. The Catalan club is reportedly negotiating with a Florida university to use its grounds in Miami, which had claimed the Miami Fusion franchise in the MLS until 2001.

2 Responses

I think Montreal definitely deserves a team. They jist moved into a new stadium and average near capacity for every game in the second division USL (won by Vancouver last week, over Puerto Rico, 2-1).

MLS needs to keep its international flavor and having a natural rivalry for Toronto—which sells out every game—can only help the league. Plus, it gives old Expos fans something to do in the summer before hockey starts again.

Philadelphia has its stadium ready in Chester County. I just hope the league doesn’t try to get huge.